Career and Education Opportunities for Respiratory Therapists in New Jersey

New Jersey has a population of 8,707,739, which has grown by 3.49% over the past 10 years. Nicknamed the "Garden State," its capital is Trenton, though its biggest city is Newark.

There are currently 2,400 jobs for respiratory therapists in New Jersey and this is projected to grow 14% to 2,800 jobs by 2016. This is not quite as good as the national trend for respiratory therapists, which sees this job pool growing by about 20.9% over the next eight years. Respiratory therapists generally assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders.

Respiratory therapists earn approximately $30 hourly or $63,080 per year on average in New Jersey. Nationally they average about $25 per hour or $52,200 annually. Compared with people working in the overall category of Alternative and Specialized, people working as respiratory therapists in New Jersey earn less. They earn less than people working in the overall category of Alternative and Specialized nationally. Respiratory therapists work in a variety of jobs, including: oxygen therapist, respiratory therapy director, and clinical coordinator of respiratory therapy.

In 2008, there were a total of 5,176,293 jobs in New Jersey. The average annual income was $51,473 in 2008, up from $50,364 the preceding year. The unemployment rate in New Jersey was 9.2% in 2009, which has grown by 3.7% since the previous year. About 29.8% of New Jersey residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in New Jersey include wholesale trade, durable goods merchant wholesalers, and drugs' sundries merchant wholesalers. Notable tourist attractions include the New Jersey Historical Society, the Newark Museum, and the Market Amusement Inc.

CITIES WITH Respiratory Therapist OPPORTUNITIES IN New Jersey

JOB DESCRIPTION: Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, respiratory therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. They also assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians.

Every day, respiratory therapists are expected to be able to listen to and understand others in meetings. They need to articulate ideas and problems. It is also important that they evaluate problems as they arise.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in New Jersey include:

Audiologist. Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems.

Cardiac Technician. Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary-functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

Dental Hygienist. Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop X-rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Dentist. Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums and related oral structures. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting vitality of teeth.

Licensed Practical Nurse. Care for ill, injured, or disabled persons in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

Physician Assistant. Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

Radiological Technician. Maintain and use equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film or fluoroscopic screen for diagnostic purposes.

Radiology Technologist. Take x-rays and Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT) scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other modalities, such as computed tomography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance.

Speech and Language Teacher. Assess and treat persons with speech, language, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

Surgical Technician. Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeon's assistants, hold retractors, and help count sponges, needles, and instruments.

LOCATION INFORMATION: New Jersey

New Jersey photo by Derek Jensen

New Jersey has a population of 8,707,739, which has grown by 3.49% in the last 10 years. Nicknamed the "Garden State," its capital is Trenton, though its most populous city is Newark. In 2008, there were a total of 5,176,293 jobs in New Jersey. The average annual income was $51,473 in 2008, up from $50,364 the previous year. The unemployment rate in New Jersey was 9.2% in 2009, which has grown by 3.7% since the previous year. Roughly 29.8% of New Jersey residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in New Jersey include wholesale trade, durable goods merchant wholesalers, and drugs' sundries merchant wholesalers. Notable tourist attractions include the Morris Museum, the New Jersey Historical Society, and the A P Personal Limo.